Messages from the MESPA president

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To read their messages, click on the titles below.

Servant Leadership, 3
May 2013 -- Listening and Awareness in Communication

Servant Leadership, 2
December 2012 -- Commitment to the Growth of People

Servant Leadership
September 2012 -- Empathy and Building Community

Respect Teachers and Staff Members
April 2012 -- A Gentle Reminder

Respect Yourself, Enhance Your Leadership
December 2011 -- Reconnect Your Mind and Body

Respect Yields Respect
September 2011 -- Your character shapes students and staff

Take care of MESPA
May 2011 -- so MESPA can take care of you!

Faster, Sharper, Stronger, Smarter!

December 2010 -- "In my 17 years as a principal, I have learned that with good backup plans, strong teacher leaders, clear communication with my supervisor about my goals, and a good cell phone, I can create the freedom to Sharpen the Saw."

Hold Dear the Opportunity to Belong to MESPA
September 2010 -- "The relationships that our Legal/Legislative Counsel Roger Aronson and our Executive Director, P. Fred Storti have developed with the commissioner of education, the secondary principals, the superintendents’ association, and our state legislators have positioned the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association to be a respected voice in Minnesota politics."

Excellence is a Journey
May 2010 -- "Is the Minnesota School of Excellence Program for you?"

From Twenty Thousand Feet....
December 2009 -- "When I get bogged down in the details and our staff struggles to get through the list of tasks, it is helpful for me to step back, look at the problem from a broader view."

Make Your Good Better and Better Your Best
September 2009 -- “On My Honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to…”
The Oath of the Boy Scouts of America

Thanks for the Memories!
May 2009 -- “On behalf of the MESPA Board of Directors I want to thank each of our 950-plus members for your membership in MESPA.”

MCAs Assess More Than Student Progress: Protect yourself when responding to allegations
March 2009 -- “If I had not reported the allegation and my neglect of responsibility had been discovered, I could have lost my principal’s license and thus my job for an ethics violation.”

Laughter: the best medicine and tool for communication
December 2008 -- “Principals as leaders of their school are most often looked to by staff, parents, and students as the person who can make the best out of a difficult situation.”

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26 items total

Kris Stueve

July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2013

Jon Millerhagen

July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2011

Richard Oscarson

July 1, 2007- June 30, 2009

Pat Murray

July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2007

President History

Kristine Stueve, Cambridge-Isanti, 2011-12
Jon Millerhagen, Bloomington, 2009-11
Richard Oscarson, Lakeville. 2008-09
Patrick Murray, Anoka-Hennepin. 2005-07
Susan Abrahamson, South Washington County,
2003-05
Teresa Edwards, Minneapolis, 2001-03
Terry Stansfield, Rockford, 1999-01
Gary Sorenson, Deer River, 1997-99
Robert Ziegler, New Hope, 1995-97
Tom Myers, Eden Prairie,
1993-95
Arthur Lakoduk, Minneapolis, 1991-93
David Ruzek, Stewartville, 1989-91
Fred Freese, Bloomington, 1987-89
Kay Douglass, Monticello,
1985-87
Roger Gordon, Duluth,
1983-85
Arlyn Gunderman, New Brighton, 1981-83
Michael Santoro, Bloomington, 1979-81
Merle D. Griffith, Minneapolis, 1977-79
Werner Tismer, White Bear Lake, 1976-77
Marvin Olson, Rochester, 1973-75
Herbert Karsten, Minneapolis, 1971-73
Myrtle Schumann, Long Lake, 1969-71
Harold Melby, Wayzata, 1967-69
Wallace Johnson, Coon Rapids, 1965-67
William Forsberg, New Hope, 1963-65
Stanley Gilbertson, Bloomington, 1961-63
Orville Aftreth, Minneapolis, 1958-61

Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association

1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108

651.999.7310 MN toll free 800.642.6807

Fax: 651.999.7311 E-mail: mespa@mespa.net